Control for fluid-pressure actuated devices



y 1950 J. s. EDISON 2,505,887

CONTROL FDR FLUID PRESSURE ACTUATED DEVICES Filed Dec. 11, 1944 s Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOHN S. EDISON May 2, 1950 J. s. EDISON CONTROL FOR FLUID PRESSURE ACTUATED DEVICES Filed D80. 11, 194.4

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 RETURN INVENTOR. JOHN S. EDiSON y 1950 J. s. EDISON 2,505,887

CONTROL FOR FLUID PRESSURE ACTUATED DEVICES Filed Dec. 11, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

, JOHN S. EDISON Patented May 2, 195i UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTROLFO'R FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATED DEVICES John s. Edison, ,e urbanli, omit, assigho'r a LockheedAi'icraft Corporation, Burbank, Calif.

Application December 11, 1944,Serial No. 567,759

13 claims. 1

This invention relates to fluid pressure control mechanisms, and relates more particularly to mechanisms for controlling pluralities of fluid actuated units or devices. 7 V p I i In the static testing of airplanes and aircraft components, it is desirable to impose loads at spaced stations of the structure being tested; The loads at the spaced stations are usually ofd-ifferent values, and it is desirable to increase the load values while maintaining a given ratio between the loads at the various load stations. The loads should be gradually increased simultaneously so that the behavior of the structure may be observed under known or predetermined conditions. Hydraulic jacks and levers are often employed to impose thetest loads. It is practically impossible to gradually increase the loads at several stations with such equipment while maintaining a given relationship or ratio between the imposed loads atthe spaced points of loading. Furthermore, such arrangements are expensive to put into condition for use and require the attendance of a large number of operators throughout the test. Valve devices known as load maintainers have been introduced to maintain a given fluid-pressure at related jacks. It is necessary to provide aload maintainer for each jack, or for each series of jacks intended to impose a given load, and to individually control each load maintainer by means of a lever and weight pan combination. To change the pressure being supplied to a given jack, or a given" set of jacks, it isnecessary to alter the weight in-the weight pan of the respective load maintainer. Where a multiplicity of jacks is employed at stations where different loads are to be exerted,- it is extremely diflicult to simultaneously varythe weights at the several load maintainers, even when alarge number of operators are at hand to perform the operations. Furthermore the valve devices or load maintainers become'unstable andproduce surges in the lines leading to the jacks, when weight is added to the weight pans. The surging in the pressure lines is imposed on the jacks with undesirable results.

It is an object of the invention to provide a unitary device or mechanism for controlling a multiplicity of fluid pressure actuatedjacks, or similar units, supplied by a single pump or fluid pressure source, and operable to simultaneously vary the pressures deliveredto the jacks while preserving a given relationship or ratio between the pressures at the several jacks. The mech anism is such that a given ratio may be established between the initial pressures supplied to certain controlled units or jacks, and thereafter a single attendant or operator may easily regulate the device to simultaneouslyincreasejor decrease the pressures supplied to the jacks while; preserving'tlie given ratio. Thedevice being in the form 2 of a single: rnaterially reduces the set-up time andthe installing of separate: levers, weight pans, and the like, for the individual valve devices t en ir y, av i ed: u th r t r i need to provide complicated lever arrangements because the controlled jaclgs maydirectly aet on the jigs throughthe medium of extensions on the jack plun gers. The single operator of the mechanism may readily perform the functions of themany operatorsheretofore required and with far superiorresults. H

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the character referred to which maintains steady pressures on the several controlled devices or jacks at all times. There is no instability of the valves or surging in the lines during the simultaneous increase or reduction of the supplied fluid pressures, or while constant pressuresare being maintained. In the mechanism of the invention there is no need to periods lly s; sho o oth W i ht m te a t h weight pans in order to increase the fluid pi essures supplied to the jacks, and there need be no sudden fluctuations in the supplied presi re Wri wre ihw e h sm o the invention insuresmcoth, su1-geless variations in the'pre ssures, eventhough the pressures may be altered quite suddenly.

A "0th object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the character referred to whieh is immediately responsive to control by a single operator} When the attendant or operator manipulates the" single control lever, or hand wheel, the pressures imposedon the several re mo'te'jacks' are simultaneously increased or' decreasedas'lthe' case may be', while maintaining the'presel'ected ratio between the several pressures. The mechanismis accurate in supplying the selected pressure to the'plurality of jacks during stable periods as well'asduring periods of"variatipn. The 'single' control means and the improved valve mechanisms assure smooth jack operation without surges or instability when the mechanism is operated to alter the supplied pressures: I e

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of l the 1 character mentioned in whicli the fluid pr essure'leakage at the jacksor in the" lines leading to the jacks is aut'orn atically compensated forbythevalve means, and inthe event offa ilure or sudderirelaxation of any part ofthe structure being tested, the pressureis automatically relieved at all'of the associated jacks.

A furtherobjectof the invention isto provide amechanismof the class referred to embodying improved valve means sensitive to extremely small ytriations in the control "weights and to minor adjustments ofthe control mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to prohe openings 2%.. It; is. to. be. understood that, a pa r of. vert ca ly. spaced ports 35. and. 35. com.- municates with each op nin 29,.

Each valve means [6 includes a sleeve; 3'! r0.- tatably en a ed in its. respec ive opening 29. of thamanifoldr The sleeve. 31. extends. c mpletely throu h the manifold 2.1,. and: its. upper end care ies a. fi tin 3.8.- A. flexible. conduit 39 extends from the fitting. to, a. suitable high pressure. $hlltrfi valve ill. Ther la edjack line. It extends from the. shut-off; valve. 4.0.0.1. from asuitable. quick disconnect fitting adjacent the. valve. The. fitting 3.8 at. the. upper end of the. valve. sleeve. 31 may have. a. removable plug closure 61 to. facilitate r y testing. of. the fluid. pressure being sup.. plied to the. related jack or jacks. I!.. As will later become. apparent, the. fluid. pressures. in the valve. mechanism tend to. ur e the valve sleeve 3.? upwardly. The portion. of: the. sleeves]. pro.- jecting below the. manifold El; carries. a. flange 42 and an anti-friction. bearing 53 is. engaged between the flange. and the lower side. of the manifold to insure. free angular movement of the sleeve when the. valve is. under pressure.

Each valve 5.6 further includes. a. plunger; 44 movable axially in. the. sleeve. 3.1. The plunger enters the. lower end of the. sleeve and is connected with a. weight beam mechanism If? as will be later described. The. plunger id extends upwardly in. the sleeve 31?. to a point above the plane occupied by the. port sit in the manifold. 21. The sleeve. 3?! and. plunger 4.4 have a sys-. tem of ports. whereby: the. axial position of the plunger 4.4.. determines. the. fluid pressure. being supplied to. the related jack line. 39. An annular external. groove 4.54s provided in the plunger d-ito be in. a planebelowi the. plane occupied by theport 35. of the manifold. A series of spaced radial ports 4.6 is provided in. the. wall. of the plunger 4.4 to. connect. the groove 45. with. an axial open-. ing 4.1. in the. plunger. The. opening 4-] leads upwardly to. the. upper end of the. plunger where it communicates with. the interiorof the sleeve. 3.1. An. annular external: groove, 48 is. provided in the sleeve. 31 and registers. with. the manifold. port to. receive. fluid. pressure therefrom. Spaced radial ports. 4.9. extend inwardly. from the groove 3.8. to the. interior of the sleeve. The ports 49 are. relatively small. in fluid capacity and are controlled by. the: plunger. 44 so. that there is never large-volumefiow. from the manifold port 35. In accordance with. the invention, the. surface 51!. of the plunger 44 directly above the groove. d5. tapers. downwardly. and inwardly tothe r over Thedegreeofstaper of this. sur-..

face 56, is preferably quitesmall, the taperbeing exaggerated in. the. drawings .for illustrative pur-.. Po es. The tapered. surface 50. and. the cylindrical surface of. the plunger 4.4, extending up wardly therefrom, control; the. pressure supply. ports 49. In, certain. positions. of; the, plunger 44, the upper extremityrof thetapered. surface is, adjacent the, lower extremities of the ports 49 to permit only. very; slight communication between the pressure supplyportsA Sland thegroove 45. In other position or the. plunger 4.4, the lower portions of: the tapered; surface Efli oppose the ports 45. so; that thereis; relatively substan-. tial communication; between the. pressure sup-.- ply ports &9 and the groove 45. It wil1.be (lb-v; an ia hat. a ia mo ment. of; the: plun er. 44 results in a gradual variation in. the: extent. ofz communication; between; the pressure supply:

ports. 49, and. the. groove 4.5. The-construction.

in t: de ribed: i such; hat even; substantial and:

\ assure their full immediateresponsiveness:

*6: relatively: sud en. motion of the plunger 414i. produces. nlyradual and. minor variations. in the ext nt of: e rrur nication. of. the pres ur pp y p rt .91 with the iack. line 3.9.

The. porter/stem of thevalve; I 6 further includes an annular groove 52. in the exterior ofithe sleeve 3] communicating with the return port 36-. of the mh illold} 21;. Spaced nadialports 53 of relatively small. diameter extend. inwardly: through thesleeve 31. from the groove 52'. The ports. 53 are preferably of the, same. aggregate capacity asthe. port 691., The: exterior of the plunger 44 has a surfape a l. tapering downwardly. and outwardly; The surface 54 extends to the upper end. of the plunger and is. positioned to control the-ports 53. certain positions ofthe plunger 44 the lower DQIZ Q I Oi the surface. 54-. is adjacent. theupper extremities. of. the return ports. 53. so that there is; littldor. no; communication between the return ports andtheiaclt line. 39s. In other positions of the plunger the upper portions. of: the taperedsilriace 54. oppose the return. ports. 53 providing relatively. large communication between the re turn ports, 5.3.1 and the. jack line. The pressure hqrtsi 63.. return ports as are preferablyof the-- same capacity and. thesurfaces. 5!): and 54 are or the same. length and; have the same taper. It will. be. observed. that. upon movement oi the: plunger M in the upward direction, the communication. of. the pressure supply. ports @19 with the- J'dck; line. 319... is increased and. communication betweenthe. return. ports 53: and the jaclc line is diminished. Conversely, when the plunger- 44 moves. downwardly, communication between the pressure: ports. is: and. the jack line 39 is= diminished and communication between the returnports 53. and the. jack: line is enlarged.- The valve. structurejust described: has been found to besmooth working andi does not become unstable to cause. surges. or. fluctuations in the pressure lines.

The invention preferably includes means for rotating or oscillating thesleeves 31015 the several valve means [6. to. keep the valves free and thus The sleeve. rotating means includes an electricmotor 55 mounted. onithe forward face of the support member, 23:. Avertical. shaftiitextends upwardly from adjacent thermotor 55- and a suitable speed reducing; drive 51 connects the vertical shaft with the horizontal motor shaft. The upper end of. the-shaft 56 carries a disc' 'aprovided with. an eccentric pin 59. A crank rod to is pivotally. arranged on. the pin 59 and extends to a horizontal link or connecting' bar 61-. individual links liizarepivotedtto thebar 6| at 63* and extend. tothe sleeves. of their respective valves 56.. Theend portionsofthelinks 62 may besplit and. clampad ontothe-upper ends of the sleeves. 3.! to r be, rigid therewith.

The weight; beam means H are provided to operateor control the: plungers 44- 0? the valves' IS. The severalrneans l'i:may-be identical and I will proceed with aidescription or oneof-them,

it; being understood that this description applies- Eachto all. of the several beam mechanisms; beam means 11 includes an -elongate leveror beam 63.. pivotally. supported between itsends-om the Itwill be seenthat when. the motor:fifiiisinoperation the-sleevessupport member '23. The beam freely passes through a notch or opening 64 in the member 23 and knife edge bearing means are provided at the notch to support the beam for free pivotal movement. Blocks 65 are secured to the member 23 adjacent the opening 64 and have V troughs or channels 66 in their upper sides. secured to the beam 63 by a U bolt 68, or the equivalent, and supports a hardened block 69. The block 69 has downwardly facing knife edge parts 10 for riding in the grooves 66. The blocks 65 and 69 are accurately machined and hardened to be long wearing and to operate with a minimum of friction.

The short rear arm of the beam 63 is operatively connected with the plunger 44 of the related valve l6. A blade H is secured in a slot in the beam 63 to project from the upper side of the beam. A connecting rod 12 is pivotally secured to the blade TI and extends upwardly for connection with the valve plunger 44. A suitable pivotal connection it is provided between the connecting rod '22 and the lower end of the plunger 44.

The beam 63 carries a rotatable shaft 14. The outer or forward end of the shaft 14 is supported by a suitable bearing 15 on the beam 63, while the other end portion of the shaft is rotatably supported in an opening in the above described carrier 61. The shaft 14 extends along the upper side of the beam 53. As best illustrated in Figure 8, a flexible shaft 16 is connected with the shaft 14 and extends rearwardly past the blade H and connecting rod 12. The flexible shaft 16 is operatively connected with the manually operable control means IE to be rotated thereby as will be later described.

Rotation of the beam shafts l4 and 16 moves or adjusts a weight pan H. The weight pan is suspended from a traveling nut 18 cooperating with a long thread 79 on the beam 14. Straps 8|) on the upper end of the weight pan 17 pass up- Wardly at opposite sides of the beam 63. The nut 18 may have a flat surface riding on the upper face of the beam to hold the nut against rotation when the shaft is operated and to transfer the weight to the beam. It will be observed that the weight pan H is carried by the long arm of the beam 63. The pan TI is movable, by its traveling nut 78, between a zero pressure position where the nut is adjacent the support member 23 and a full pressure position where the nut is adjacent the bearing 75. The upper end of the pan ll is open to receive lead shot, or other weight material, and a slidable closure 8| is provided for the bottom of the pan to facilitate removal of the weight material. The end walls of the housing it are notched out and a slot 82 is provided in the bottom wall to receive an elongate tray 83. When the weight pans H of the several beam means ll are brought to the zero pressure positions the closures 8| may be opened to allow the weight material to discharge into the tray. Thus the several pans may be speedily emptied at the end of each test.

It will be observed that the plunger M of each of the above described valves H is urged downwardly by the static fluid pressure in the upper portion of the sleeve 31. This pressure imposed on the plunger is representative of and substantially identical with the pressure supplied to the related jack or jacks II. The fluid pressure imposed on the plunger 44 is transmitted by the connecting rod 12 to the short arm of the beam 63. The axial position of the plunger 44 determines the pressure supplied to the related jack or jacks A carrier 61 is 8 I, and when the weight beam overcomes the hydraulic pressure on the plunger, the plunger is moved upwardly to increase the pressure being supplied to the jacks. Conversely, when the static pressure in the sleeve 31 overcomes the weighted beam 63, the plunger is moved down- Wardly to reduce the pressure being supplied ta the jack or jacks. Thus it will be seen that the effective weight applied to the pivoted beam 63 and the axial position of the weight on the beam are critical in determining and maintaining a given pressure at the related jacks l l.

counterbalance means may be provided to bring the beam assembly into a state of equilibrium before the addition of weights to the pan ii. I have shown a counterweight 84 suspended from the short arm of the beam 63 and guided by a rod 85 projecting from the bottom wall of the housing. The weight 84 counterbalances the pan ll, shaft l5, etc., and in practice, may accurately balance the beam assembly to be sensitive to minor alterations in weight in the pan Ti and to minor variations in the position of the pan. If desired, the beam 83 may also be equipped with weight means to compensate for the weight of the related jigs iii, friction at the jacks ll, etc. I have shown a weight 86 removably engaged on the forward end portion of the beam The weight 86 is contained in a space between the forward housing wall and a partition i8? in the housing. The weight 86 compensates for a constant load such as the weight of the related jigs, friction at the related jacks, etc., while the test load may be varied from zero to any selected load by means of the movable Weight pan arrangement. A slot 88a in the partition passes the beam 63 and supports and guides the beam against lat eral displacement. The above described beam assembly is mounted for movement with a minimum of friction and is sensitive to very slight variations in the fluid pressures imposed on the valve plunger 44 and to slight alterations in the position of the weight pan TI.

The manually operable control means I8 is provided to facilitate simultaneous adjustment or movement of the several weight pans li along their respective beams 83 and thus simultaneously control the pressures being supplied to the several jacks II. In accordance with the invention, the control means I8 is such that it may be manipulated by a single operator to effect slight or great changes in the active jack pressure as conditions may require. The means [3 includes a shaft 81 extending through horizontal openings in the front wall and partition I81 of the housing. The shaft 81 is suitably supported for rotation by the partition I81 and support member '23. The control shaft $1 is spaced above the series of beams 61 and may be substantially midway between the sides of the housing. The shaft 81 preferably occupies a vertical plane offset from the vertical planes occupied by the adjacent beams 63 and shafts 14. A hand wheel 88, or the equivalent, is fixed to the forward end of the shaft to facilitate its manual rotation. A gear 89 is secured to the shaft 8? adjacent the support 23. A second horizontal shaft 90 is rotatably supported in openings in the members 23 and 26 and a gear 9| fixed to this shaft meshes with the gear 89.

The control means l8 further includes stub shafts or trunnions 92 secured to the support member 26 to be offset with respect to their respective beam shafts 14. Gears or pinions 93 are rotatable on the trunnions 92 and the pinions 9 of the adjacent trunnions mesh one with the other. A gear 94 is fixed to the shaft 99 adjacent the support member 25 and meshes with one of the pinions 93. It will be seen that upon rotation of the shaft 8'! all of the pinions 93 are rotated. The flexible shafts T6 of the beams 63 are connected with their respective pinions 93 so that upon operation of the hand wheel 88 the threaded shafts "M will be rotated to move the weight pans TI. The rear ends or" the flexible shafts 16 are anchored in blocks 55 fixed to the p nions 93. The threads 79 of the beam shafts M are pitched in alternate directions; that is, the thread of the first shaft is a right hand thread,

the thread of the second shaft has a left hand n,

value of the pressures being supplied to the jacks i,

II. A horizontal scale member 9% is secured to the partition 81 and has a long tu inal slot 91 directly above the control shaft 87. The shaft 81 carries a long thread and a traveling nut 93 cooperates therewith. A pin 99 on the nut 98 y travels through the slot at. Suitable calibrations or scales may be provided on the upper surface of the member 955 at opposite sides of the slot 91. In Figure 6, I have shown two scales. One scale may be termed the ultimate load scale, and the other may be considered as the limit load scale. A double ended pointer I58 is secured to the pin 99 to simultaneously cooperate with the two scales. It will be apparent how the pointer I indicates the axial disposition of the weight pans I1 and thus indicates the general value of the pressures being supplied to the jacks H.

Valve means may be provided to simultaneously relieve the fluid pressure imposed on the several jacks II in the event of sudden failure of a part or section of the wing W or other structure being tested. As illustrated diagrammatically in Figure l, a connecting or by-pass line It! extends between the pump pressui'e line 32 and the return line 34. A two-way valve Hi2 controls communication between the by-pass line till and the pressure line 32. The valve 582 is movable between a position where fluid under pressure is free to ilow through the line 32 from the pump P to the control mechanism and a position where the pressure line and return line as are connected to relieve the mechanisms and the jacks ii of fluid pressure. The valve H 2 may be manually operated or may be controlled by a suitable remote control means. The two-way valve N32 is normally in the position illustrated, but in the event it is desired to relieve pressure at all of the jacks H, the valve is moved to its other position. Spring loaded check valves Hi3 are connected between the pumping pressure line 32 and the lines 39 leading from the valve means It. An elongate manifold Hid has communication with the pressure line 32. The check valves IE3 are connected in the lines and all have communication with the manifcld m4; see Figure 2. The valves W3 are normally held closed by the pressure from the pump P. When the two-way valve I02 is moved to the position to place the pressure line 32 in communication with the return line 34, the pressure in the line 32 drops and the check valves H33 open to unload the valves it. Thus the check valves assure rapid simultaneous unloading of pressure from the valves l6 and the jacks I I.

In the use or operation of the mechanism, the jigs it) are arranged at the selected stations along the wing W, and the jacks H are secured to the beams l3 in positions where their plunger extension's l2 may be properly connected with the jigs. The lines M are connected between the jacks or sets of jacks and the valves 43 of the mechanisms. Several lines IQ may be connected with each valve 453 so that a series of jacks will be under the control of a single valve means I6, or the lines i l may be arranged so that each jack is governed by an individual valve it. Where there is a large number of jacks I I to be supplied with pressures "of diiierent values it may be necessary to employ two or more control mechanisms of the invention. For example, where each mechanism embodies ten valves l6 and it is necessary to provide thirty jacks H with pressures of different values, three units or mechanisms of the invention may be employed. In accordance with the invention the plurality of mechanisms may be inter-connected for simultaneous control. Figure 1 shows three such inter-connected mechanisms. Sprockets H are fixed to theshafts 81 of the mechanisms and chains lilo operate over the sprockets. One to one drives are provided between the sprockets H15 so that the movement at the three mechanisms is equal.

In preparing'the appa atus for use, the: covers it are raised to expose the internal parts. Lead shot or other weight medium, is then introduced into the weight pans TI. The weight is weighed as it is supplied to the pans and any selected ratio or relationship of weights may be provided between the several beam units of the mechanism or mechanisms to obtain a selected ratio between the flu d pressures to be supplied to the jacks H. In this connection it is to be understood that when a selected ratio of weights has been obtained in the pans 11 before start ng the actual test it is unnecessary to alter the weights, and the original ratio is maintained throughout the test. With the valves open and the pump P and motor in operation, the mechanisms are conditioned for the test. The hand wheel 88 may be rotated to bring the weight pans 11 to selected positions for the start of the test. above described, the means it provides for simultaneous movement of the pans H to corresponding positions along the beams 63. Adjustment of the pans Tl is reflected in movement of the plungers 44 of the valves I 6. The pointer I00, operating along the scales, indicates the positions of the pans H and the value of the pressures being supplied to the jacks II. To simuhtaneously increase the loads imposed on the wing structure by the jacks ll, the hand wheel 88 is merely roated to advance the pans along the beams 53. The test loads are increased in the predetermined ratio as established by the weights in the pans 11. It is to be observed that the simultaneous regulation of the plurality of jacks ii is accomplished by one operator manipulating the hand wheel 88. The test loadsmay be increased gradually, continuously or intermittently, and at any rate desired. The load values imposed on the wing W may be readily and accurately determined at any time by referring to pointer tilt operating over the scales.

The improved valve means l6 respond to r'eg u lation or adjustment without oscillation or in-'- 11 stability. The continuously oscillating sleeves 31 prevent the valves from sticking and assure smooth plunger movement. Any leakage at the valves l6, lines 14 or jacks H is automatically compensated for by the valve plungers 44 which are balanced between the pressures existing in the jack lines and the weighted beams 63. The test may be carried on to completion without adding to or subtracting from the weights in 'the pans l1 and without adjustment or regulation of any parts except the single hand wheel At the completion of the test the several valves 40 are closed and the lines 14 may be disconnected. The weightpans H may be restored to the normal pressure conditions so that their closures 8| can be opened to discharge the weight material into the pan 83.

Having described only typical forms of the invention, I do not wish to be limited to the speciflc details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

'1. In a system for controlling the delivery of fluid pressure to a plurality of lines the combination of a source of fluid pressure, a valve means for each line operable to control the pressure supplied thereto from said source, each valve means including a part urged in one direction by the pressure from said source and movable to vary the fluid pressure supplied to the related line, and control means for the valves comprising a lever mechanism for moving each of said parts in the direction opposite to the first named direction, means for conditioning each of said mechanisms to give its respective valve part an initial setting, and means operatively mechanicallyconnected with the several lever mechanisms for simultaneously operating said mechanisms to move their respective valve parts to vary the pressures supplied to the related lines while maintaining the ratio between said presfrom said source, each valve means including a r part movable to vary the pressure supplied to the related line, and control means for the valves comprising a mechanism for moving each 'of said parts, each mechanism including an adjustable weight, means for giving its respective valve part an initial setting, and means for simultaneously operating said mechanisms to adjust their weight means and thereby move their respective valve parts to vary the pressures supplied to the related lines while maintaining the ratio between said pressures, the last named means including a manual operating member manipulable to operate said mechanisms.

3. In a system for controlling the delivery of fluid pressure to a plurality of lines the combination of a source of fluid pressure, a valve means for each line operable to control the pressure supplied thereto from said source, each valve means including a part movable to vary the pressure supplied to the related line, said parts being urged in one direction by the fluid pressure supplied to their respective lines, and control means for the valves comprising a mechanism for each valve operable to urge its said part in the opposite direction, variable weight means for conditioning each mechanism to give the related valve part an initial setting, and means operable to simultaneously operate said weight mechanisms to move said valve parts and thus vary the pressures supplied to said lines while maintaining the ratio between'said pressures as determined by the initial settings of said valve,

parts.

4. In a system of the character described the combination of a source of actuating fluid pressure, lines for conducting actuating pressure from said source, valves for governing the delivery of pressure from said source to said lines, each valve including a part movable to control said delivery of pressure and urged in a direction to reduce said delivery by the pressure in said line, a'variable gravity actuated mechanism associated with each valve operable to urge the valve part in a direction to increase said delivery, means for con ditioning said mechanisms to give their'r'elated valve parts a given setting, and control means for regulating said mechanisms to simultaneously increase or decrease the pressures supplied to said lines while maintaining the ratio between said pressures as determined by said conditioning means.

5. In a system of the character described the combination of a source of actuating fluid pressure, lines for conducting actuating pressure from said source, valves for governing the delivery of pressure from said source to said lines, each valve including a part movable to control said delivery of pressure and urged in a direction to reduce said delivery by the pressure in said 'line', lever means associated with each valve operable to urge its valve part in a direction to increase said delivery, weight receiving means on each lever means adapted to receive a selected weight to give the related valve part a given setting, and a control operable to simultaneously vary the influence of said weights upon their respective valve parts to vary the pressures supplied to said lines while maintaining the ratio of pressures as determined by the selected Weights.

6. In a system of the character described the combination of a source of actuating fluid pressure, lines for conducting actuating pressure from said source, valves for governing the delivery of pressure from said source to said lines, each valve including a part movable to control said delivery of pressure and urged in a direction to reduce said delivery by the pressure in said line, a pivoted beam associated with each valve operable to urge said part thereof in a direction to increase the delivery of pressure, weight carrying means movable along each beam and adapted to receive a selected weight, the weights initially supplied to said carrying means serving to establish a given ratio between the fluid pressures supplied to the lines, and means for simultaneously moving said carrying means to simultaneously vary the pressures supplied to the several lines while maintaining said ratio of pressures.

'7. In a system of the character described the combination of a source of actuating fluid pressure, lines for conducting fluid pressure from said source, valves for governing the delivery of pressure from said source to said lines, each valve including a part movable to control said delivery of pressure in said line, a pivoted beam associated with each valve operable to urge said part thereof in a direction to increase the delivery of pressure, weight carrying means movable along each beam and adapted to receive a selected weight, the weights initially supplied to said carrying means serving to establish a given ratio between the fluid pressures supplied to the lines, and a single manually operable means for simultaneously moving said carrying means an equal distance to simultaneously vary the pressures supplied on the several lines while maintaining said ratio of pressures.

8. In a mechanism for controlling a system having a plurality of fluid pressure supply lines, the combination of a source of fluid pressure, manifold means in communication with said source, a valve means associated with the manifold means for controlling the communication of said source with said lines, each valve means including a part movable in response to pressure in the related line and operable to control said pressure, a pivoted beam operatively connected with each valve part and operable to balance its respective part against said pressure in the line, weight carrying means movable along each beam, the weights initially supplied to the carrying means serving to establish a given ratio between the pressures supplied to the lines, and means for simultaneously moving said carrying means along their beams to vary said pressures while preserving said ratio.

9. In a mechanism for controlling a system having a plurality of fluid pressure supply lines, the combination of a source of fluid pressure,

manifold means in communication with said source, valve means associated with the manifold means for controlling the communication of said source with said lines, each valve means including a part movable in response to pressure in the related line and operable to control said pressure, and a sleeve carrying said part for movement and supported by said manifold means for rotation, means for rotating the sleeves of the several valve means, a pivoted beam operatively connected with each valve part and operable to balance its respective part against said pressure in the line, weight carrying means movable along each beam, the weights initially supplied to the carrying means serving to establish a given ratio between the pressures supplied to the lines, and means for simultaneously moving said carrying means along their beams to vary said pressures while preserving said ratio.

10. In a mechanism for controlling a system having a plurality of fluid pressure supply lines,

the combination of a source of fluid pressure, manifold means in communication with said source, valve means associated with the manifold means for controlling the communication of said source with said lines, each valve means including a part movable in response to pressure in the related line and operable to control said pressure, a rotatable sleeve around the valve part, and means for rotating the sleeve to keep said parts free for movement, a pivoted beam operatively connected with each valve part and operable to balance its respective part against said pressure in the line, weight carrying means movable along each beam, the Weights initially supplied to the carrying means serving to establish a given ratio between the pressures supplied to the lines, and means for simultaneously movin said carrying means along their respective beams to vary said pressures while preserving said ratio.

11. A mechanism for controlling the delivery of fluid pressure to a plurality of lines comprising a source of fluid pressure, manifold means in communication with said source, valve means associated with the manifold means for controlling the communication of said source with said lines, each valve means including a part movable in response to pressure in the related line and operable to control said pressure, a pivoted beam operatively connected with each valve part and operable to balance its respective part against said pressure in the line, weight carrying means movable along each beam, the weights initially supplied to the carrying means serving to establish a given ratio between the pressures supplied to the lines, scale means for indicating the positions of the carrying means, and means for simultaneously moving said carrying means along their beams to vary said pressures while preserving said ratio.

12. A mechanism for controlling the delivery of fluid pressure to a plurality of supply lines comprising a source of fluid pressure, manifold means in communication with source, a valve means associated with the manifold means for controlling the communication of said source with said lines, each valve means including a part movable in response to pressure in the related line and operable to control said pressure, a. pivoted beam operatively connected with each valve part and operable to balance its respective part against said pressure in the l ne, weight carrying means movable along each beam, the weights initially supplied to the carrying means serving to establish a given ratio between the pressures supplied to the lines, and means for simultaneously moving said carrying means along their beams to vary said pressures while preserving said ratio including screw threaded shafts for moving said carrying means, gear means for rotating the shafts, and manual opera ing means for the gear means.

13. In a system for controlling the delivery of fluid pressure to a plurality of lines the combination of, a source of fluid pressure, a valve means for each line operable to control the pressure supplied thereto from said source, each valve means including a part urged in one direction by the fluid pressure from said source and movable to vary the pressure suppl ed to the related line, adjustable lever means for moving said parts in the other direct on and operable to give said part of each valve an initial setting, and means for simultaneously moving said parts of the valves to vary the pressures supplied to the lines, while maintaining the given ratio between the pressures provided at said lines as determined by said initial settings of said parts, the last named means including a single manually operab e control part mechanically operatively connected with the several lever means.

JOHN S. EDISO'N.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 521,315 Hoffman June 12, 1894 1,012,288 Stephenson -1 Dec. 19, 1911 1,632,518 Moreley June 14, 1927 1,831,089 Barrett Nov. 10, 1931 1,972,852 Albright Sept. 11, 1934 2,064,864 Temple Dec. 22, 1936 2,099A3 Kraft Nov. 16, 1937 2,172,981 Maglott Sept. 12, 1939 2,312,726 Munro Mar. 2, 1943 

